Re: SpaceX - Tests, Launches, Developments - 2022

As in 'crew rated' for Lunar Starship? Or from Earth. I struggle to see crew launched from Earth on it, Lunar is just a case of uncrewed tests, then the mission with SLS/Orion as currently planned, it doesn't bring the crew back to Earth. With no viable escape system for crew launch from Earth, unl...

Re: SpaceX - Tests, Launches, Developments - 2022

How long until we see an updated crew-rated Starship design? How long will it take to test and certify the crew-rated Starship? All of these test launches are fantastic to watch, but I'm concerned we have not seen anything regarding an actual human-rated vehicle. As in 'crew rated' for Lunar Starsh...

Re: SpaceX - Tests, Launches, Developments - 2022

How long until we see an updated crew-rated Starship design? How long will it take to test and certify the crew-rated Starship? All of these test launches are fantastic to watch, but I'm concerned we have not seen anything regarding an actual human-rated vehicle.

Re: Radia WindRunner - new cargo plane for transporting wind turbine blades

btfarrwm wrote:

If we're going entertain this fantasy, they'd be better off building a helicopter to transport these things.

Re: Radia WindRunner - new cargo plane for transporting wind turbine blades

I know! Let's build a giant tilt rotor/jet hybrid and use the turbine blades for the props. Sure the wingspan would be ridiculously long, but how cool would a prop aircraft be with tilt rotors that size! Once the aircraft lands, the blades get off-loaded, it no longer has the heavy weight of the pay...

Re: SpaceX - Tests, Launches, Developments - 2022

Not to detract from the success of this 3rd flight, but I feel like I am missing something. If Starship is supposed to be used for human flight to/from the moon, shouldn't we be seeing progress on the crew-rated versions as well? We have not seen any updates or renderings of the crew vehicle that I ...

Re: US Marines Haiti airlift

Just don't let the Air Force start dropping supplies like they did in Gaza. What exactly are you inferring? They had a parachute fail to open and several people were killed. As terrible as it is, these things happen. Exactly @johns624, it was an accident. Unfortunately, without proper ground suppor...

Re: US Marines Haiti airlift

Spectres wrote:

Just don't let the Air Force start dropping supplies like they did in Gaza.

Re: How the Lockheed SR-71 Works

I came across in YT the following video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkyVZxtsubM Quite interesting and more advanced than the typical. For example it discusses the shock waves at the engine inlet that convert to pressure, but also the cowl bleed that passing through the shock traps and cools the...

Re: Updated: U.S. Navy Considers Extending All Its Nimitz-Class Carriers

To Fight China, Put the C-130 Back on Aircraft Carriers https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/fight-china-put-c-130-back-aircraft-carriers-209351?page=0%2C1 People are clearly seeing the merits of using the Nimitz class for missions other than fighter jet operations. While I suggested the C-27J is...

Re: Icahn Takes 9.9% Stake in JetBlue

Kiwiandrew wrote:

So much for the urban legend that he was legally "banned" from ever getting involved in an airline again after the TWA/Karabu deal

Re: Ingenuity Mars Helicopter - Mission Complete

Time to rest little guy, good job. Ingenuity should definitely find a place in the pantheon of aviation greats like the Wright Flyer, X-1, and Apollo 11.

Re: B6 NK Merger blocked

With this blocked, I feel like one of the airlines might file for Ch11. Will the DOJ block Alaska-Hawaiian next? They allowed, Delta/Northwest, United/Continental and American/US Airways to go through... "They" (the DOJ) was from a different time, different scope, different administration.

Re: Predictions about Future Fighter Aircraft

How much of future fighter development is the airframe vs. the lethality of the integrated avionics and electronics? Designing a stealth aircraft is no small feat, but isn't much of what makes the F-22/35 and future NGAD special the integration of all the electronics?

Re: Should Lockheed build a turbofan replacement for the C130J ?

The US will eventually have a large tilt rotor tactical transport aircraft and a new larger strategic turbofan transport aircraft. The role of the C-130J will be split between these two new aircraft. Historically the new military platforms are sized half way between two existing platforms. This is ...

Re: Lockheed reveals new LMXT refueling tanker

Airbus offering may be based om the A330neo. "In a reversal of intent, the airplane that Airbus may submit to the US Air Force for the next round of aerial tanker procurement may be based on the A330neo instead of the current production A330-200ceo MRTT." This also speculates about how Bo...

Outstanding Mission by IAF C-130J

Another feather in the cap for the venerable C-130, the IAF managed to send two of their Hercs into a challenging situation to help aid in the rescue of trapped miners. https://thewire.in/security/iaf-lands-super-hercules-military-transport-aircraft-on-unfeasible-strip-for-tunnel-rescue-mission In y...

Re: USAF Boeing E-7 AEW News and Discussion Thread

NATO is on board the E-7A band wagon NATO, gearing up for the retirement of its existing AWACS fleet, greenlights the production of six Boeing E-7A Wedgetail aircraft. https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/nato-embarks-on-next-gen-surveillance-with-boeings-e-7a-wedgetail/ This one has rendition ...

Re: Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider Production And Delivery Thread

First flight! https://twitter.com/i/status/1722993343485866184 The B-21 left Northrop’s facility at the Air Force’s Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, at sunrise offering the first unscripted look at the new bomber which has been developed under strict security. The plane took off at 6:51 a.m., acco...

Re: Technology to reduce distance to rotation ?

I know - a speedy conveyor belt....not seen that mentioned for a while!! Oh! Oh! I know, I know! How about a circular runway! Reduce the length of the runway by never running out of runway! https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/article/mysteries-of-flight-circular-runways/ https://images.planeandpilotma...

Re: Tempest Fighter Jet Programme News and Discussion Thread

That is not true at all. Drone control is to do with software and has nothing to do with the platform being 5th generation stealth. A manned mini F-35 could easily have the same ability to control drones of a full size F-35. The advantage of a manned mini F-35 would be: Lower purchase price than th...

Re: Tempest Fighter Jet Programme News and Discussion Thread

And who's gonna fly it, kid? You? Are you suggesting a Gripen sized mini F-35 would be dangerous to fly? This is the same as the F-16 when it first came out with only IR missiles. It's about a high low mix. There are still hundreds of Mirage fighters and their derivatives in service. Countries are ...

Re: Tempest Fighter Jet Programme News and Discussion Thread

I am sure that French input would result in a much improved KF-21 but history suggests that France would want to demote KAI to junior partner in its own project. I was thinking more about France just using the KF-21 design not like the F-35 shared development program. It would be similar to the Fre...

Re: Boeing has been hacked, Ramsomeware.

If you want to find out more about what was stolen, please click <here> and leave me your full name, passwords, date of birth, credit card number, home address, second born child, a sacrificial goat, and 10,000 marbles.

Re: Kizil elma

SteelChair wrote:

I wonder how stealthy it truly is.

Re: Northrop Grumman Bails On Next Generation Fighter Competition

You could look at it that way, maybe its the reason why the Soviet's were able to mass produce aircraft at a generally cheaper rate than the West. But its not "suggested" anymore as this is how the NGAD program will commence. Dr. Roper stated that one goal is to split design, production, ...

Re: Northrop Grumman Bails On Next Generation Fighter Competition

Question for the gallery: Should Lockheed win the NGAD contract, where would production end up? With Ft. Worth tasked with the F-35 production line, would NGAD spool up at the shuttered F-22 production site in Marietta, or would it go to Greenville, SC maybe? Same for Boeing: would NGAD go to St. L...

Re: F-18C with AESA radar

(1) Not how an F-18C AESA would do against a normal F-18C, but against relevent Russian or Chinese aircraft. Top gun maverick says: "It's not the plane, it's the pilot" I dunno, I kinda feel like the top gun maverick quote was accurate in 1944, perhaps even in 1964, but maybe not now. Mod...

Re: Unknown probes/instruments on F-117

There is a 99% chance the F-117 fleet has been converted to be unmanned. That explains the extra probes sticking out. This also explains why we have seen it in the air as they would be testing and evolving the software. The F-117 mission profile would be the easiest to automate of any combat aircra...

Re: Replacement Aircraft for Military Aerobatic Teams

I'm sure Dassault would like the Patrouille de France to fly Rafales, and the enthusiasts too (bring ear protection though), but I can't see it happening, if anything there is more chance of the Patrouille being disbanded for environmental and noise reasons. With recent accidents, your comment on e...

Re: Replacement Aircraft for Military Aerobatic Teams

It's likely that whatever replaces the Tutors in Snowbirds service will be whatever the outcome from the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program; it was announced this summer that SkyAlyne Partnership was the preferred bidder in the contract: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/news...

Re: Replacement Aircraft for Military Aerobatic Teams

For the Italian Air Force, the proposed replacement with M345 (T-345 in ItAF nomenclature) hasn´t materialized yet. The model is having certification problems, even though it is just a derivative of a rather old design, the SIAI S211 (first flight in 1981). Many enthusiasts have also criticised tha...

Re: Replacement Aircraft for Military Aerobatic Teams

(from the US perspective) Blue Angels are good for quite a while with the F-18E/F. Thunderbirds are good for quite a while with the F-16. Both may find themselves in a dilemma when the F-18 and F-16 finally get retired, as they are the only two-seat options in the US fighter inventory. I don't see ...

Replacement Aircraft for Military Aerobatic Teams

In light of several incidents for various teams recently, I was wondering what potential aircraft are on order, or could replace, the existing aircraft of the military aerobatic teams. While not as heavily flown as their frontline companions, several teams front heavily aged aircraft that are no lon...

Re: Northrop Grumman Bails On Next Generation Fighter Competition

Question for the gallery: Should Lockheed win the NGAD contract, where would production end up? With Ft. Worth tasked with the F-35 production line, would NGAD spool up at the shuttered F-22 production site in Marietta, or would it go to Greenville, SC maybe? Same for Boeing: would NGAD go to St. Lo...

Re: USMC F35B Accident-Missing F35 (Pilot Successfully Ejects)

I'm assuming the pilot only ejected when the plane is in an unrecoverable state. However it appears the autopilot regained control and flew on as it is designed to do. Hopefully the pilot was not fighting the autopilot without realizing it... Tugg Interesting hypothesis considering Charleston is a ...

Re: Boeing B-52 Re-engine News and Discussion Thread

Raytheon has delivered the first article of the new radar for the B-52. This is a separate program from the re engine that will be integrated slightly ahead of the other. https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/boeing-upgrades-usaf-b-52-bombers-with-rtx-aesa-radar/?cf-view Will this be integrated ...

Re: Q: Single engine military jets flying in remote areas...

GalaxyFlyer wrote:

Strapped down on pallets—fuselage, wings and tail feathers separate. It was no condition to fly.

Re: Q: Single engine military jets flying in remote areas...

I brought an F-15 from Lakenheath to Robins for repairs after an eng8ne explosion during the line-up for take-off. One engine took out the other, holes all over the aft fuselage. As usual, no matter how hard they tried to drain out the tanks, inevitably on the climb, it leaked. A year or more later...

Re: Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider Production And Delivery Thread

...and even more photos! https://www.thedrive.com/uploads/2023/09/12/B21-Side-view.jpg?auto=webp&crop=16%3A9&auto=webp&optimize=high&quality=70&width=1920 https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/b-21-raider-seen-like-never-before-in-new-images https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/...

Re: Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider Production And Delivery Thread

Looks like we have a new photo...looking more like Shikaka than a Raider.



https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/us-air-force-shows-new-b-21-images

Re: SpaceX - Tests, Launches, Developments - 2022

Well the FAA has released its findings. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/08/faa-starship-grounded-corrective-action.html SpaceX must keep its Starship Super Heavy rocket grounded, [...] to take 63 corrective actions before it is cleared for another test flight. [...] a final report "cites multiple...

Re: The USS Nimitz should be kept for Marine air assault.

I think everyone is forgetting one thing, and that is carriers of this size don't just sail around by themselves. Keeping the Nimitz would still require a carrier battle group, and the Navy is already short supplied with ships.

Re: Boom XB-1 Ground Testing Underway

I have more faith in Hermeus making a successful and commercially viable aircaft than Boom Supersonic. For one thing, they have developed and proven an engine in-house. Secondly, they have funding from the USAF...those two things alone are leaps ahead of Boom.

Re: Second tier advanced fighter projects news and discussion

The Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate is a single-engine, stealth fighter aircraft under development by Sukhoi for export. and for the Russian Aerospace Forces. On 14 November 2021, it was reported that the production of several prototypes of the Checkmate had begun at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant, w...

Re: SpaceX - Tests, Launches, Developments - 2022

Nomadd wrote:

They want to launch within 3 seconds of lighting the 1st engines. 5 at the most. If it doesn't launch by then, they'll shut it down. There's no reason to test full power longer than that.